(October
29, 2006) The October 29 issue of the
Neighbors of Southern Mecklenburg section of the
Charlotte Observer features several stories about Steele Creek
History.

Kirsten Valle's
article
No stopping Steele Creek focuses on growth. Before World
War II, Steele Creek was a rural community where residents seldom
visited the nearby big city of Charlotte. In 1940 the U.S.
Government bought 2,266 acres in Steele Creek to build an ammunition
assembly plant. The plant closed after the war, but the large
industrial area along Westinghouse Boulevard is its legacy. The
first large subdivision, Taragate, was built in 1969. Growth
continued to occur slowly for the next couple of decades but has
boomed since the late 1990's. Steele Creek roads are now clogged
with commuters, shoppers, and school buses. The population of Steele
Creek has increased almost 80% since 2000. (See
Population Booming in
Steele Creek, Study Shows.)

Ken Garfield writes
Don't let growth destroy Steele Creek. Developers are
changing Steele Creek, but the community "still has a wonderful
chance to strike a delicate balance between its heritage and its
future."

Ms. Valle also
provides
Highlights from community's history. Long-time resident
and historian Linda Blackwelder has been researching Steele Creek
history for several decades. You can find Linda at the monthly
meetings of the
Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society. Meetings
occur on the last Monday of each month (except July and December).
Most meetings are at the Steele Creek Library but move to Central
Steele Creek Presbyterian Church when the library's meeting room is
unavailable due to early voting and for the annual holiday dinner at
the end of November.

The next meeting of
the Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society will be on
October 30 at 7:00 P.M. at the Family life Center at Central Steele
Creek Presbyterian Church (corner of S Tryon Street and Westinghouse
Boulevard). The speaker will be Mr. Bob Deaton, Chairman of the
Catawba Valley Scottish Society. The November 27 meeting also is at
the church. The speaker will be Ms. Lisa Gray who will give a
history of trolley service in Charlotte. This meeting also is the
annual Christmas party so bring a covered dish to share.